Given that Rochette is 22 and continues to make improvements in her consistency, although she has had up-and-down results with having 3-3's in competition, I feel there is a chance Kimmie can make a comeback vis-a-vis the jumps.
And, I'm tempted to say she's had two relatively "bad" seasons, but, actually, when I think about it, her 2006-2007 season wasn't that bad. I liked her programs quite well, and remember feeling she was undermarked at several comps. So many internet posters seemed to think the music was a bad fit, but she and Gregory specifically said they chose that season to try to stretch her artistically. At the end of the season, she said she would go back to music that felt more comfortable to her. I'm not actually sure that she did -- although she said she felt a real connection to Nessun Dorma, it didn't seem a good fit for her to me. But I love her SP music cuts and the way she interpreted that music.
Although the most recent media comments from Kimmie were that this season's problems were mental, it still seems there's a technique issue going on. And technique problems plus mental/emotional/confidence issues can combine to become a vicious downward spiral. So she's got a lot to overcome.
As I mentioned in another thread, although her Worlds performance was a bit of an improvement over Nationals, it still had 2 falls, the jumps that were landed were small, and I don't think she "sold" the program. Kimmie's media comments to me seemed frankly too optimistic/positive. I do realize you have to talk a positive game, but I would have been more impressed with, "I'm glad/proud to have improved since Nationals, but I realize I still have a long way to go and I'm looking forward to next season" rather than her seeming so absolutely delighted and chipper. The reason that bothers me is that it just doesn't seem to acknowledge the reality of the situation, and if she doesn't realize that, she's not going to be too mentally ready to tackle the problems.
So, having said ALL THAT (another long post from me), I sadly don't see Kimmie turning it around. But I hope like anything she proves me wrong!
ETA: After the 2006 Olys, Kimmie on another FS forum got soundly, loudly, and longly criticized -- but ridiculously so, IMO -- for having a so-called "sour" look on her face when her impressive early scores finally began getting surpassed in the final group(s). I didn't follow this board then, so I don't know if that criticism was widespread, but it was close to vicious and silly, because to me Kimmie's expression seemed more like "I'll do better and show them next time" determined than "sour," and anyway, she was in the stands and talking at the time, and the expression could have been about anything, not necessarily the scores that were being posted. But maybe she got wind about that flack, or maybe just had some media training, or whatever, and has absorbed a "smile no matter what" message.
